Monthly Archives: November 2017

Last week the demolition of the former library came to a close. We would firstly like to thank everyone for their patience during this time. Now that the demolition is complete, landscaping can begin on the site behind the current hoardings. Towards the end of the month, we will start excavation of the Green Heart’s amphitheatre which will sit on the former North Car Park site.

Some of you have also been in contact to ask why part of the former library has not been demolished. We can reassure you that we have not forgotten a bit, the raised platform which remains at the centre of campus is in fact an electrical substation. The substation provides power to a number of buildings in the area and would have been incredibly expensive to relocate as part of the Green Heart project. Therefore, the Project team asked the landscape architects to incorporate it into their design for the new parkland. If you watch our Green Heart animation, from 20 seconds, you will see a raised platform on the right-hand side with the University Crests attached; this is part of the incorporated substation.

We recently delivered the University’s community magazine to over 40,000 households in the local area. Did you get your copy of Community Buzz through the letterbox if you live nearby? If you didn’t, don’t worry, you can download your copy of Community Buzz Autumn 2017 now!

The magazine is teeming with the latest University news, events, and research and educational highlights. Make sure you save the date for the 2018 Art & Science Festival and why not book onto one of our exciting cultural tours. Also find out how our students are making a difference in the local community and transforming lives; it’s all in the magazine and much more. Our very own Green Heart project also features, discussing how we will restore a 100 year old vision by 2019.

The University of Birmingham has launched an ambitious crowdfunding campaign to bring a free cycle hire scheme to campus. Think ‘Boris Bikes’: As part of a national competition, the University has been shortlisted along with four others to compete for the scheme which will transform the way students, staff and the local community travel across campus.

The University needs to raise at least £47,000 through crowdfunding in order to win an investment of £100,000 from Santander to get the scheme up and running. This would establish 8 bike stations at locations across campus and 50 bikes from the outset.

Since launching yesterday, the campaign has already gained 41 supporters and raised 33% of its target!

Can you help the University bring bikes to campus? You can access the crowdfunding campaign online and make a contribution. A contribution as little as £5 can get you a reward to mark your involvement with the programme. You have until 8 December to make this ambitious scheme a reality! Show your support by using #bikesforbrum.